In a class of 25 undergraduate nursing students, I recently asked for a show of hands as to who had a friend or family member who served in World War II, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam War. Not one hand went up. Over the years, as I taught graduate students, fewer and fewer hands would go up when I asked if they had publicly demonstrated for anything they believed in. Ask a nursing student or seasoned professional nurse why each chose to join the nursing profession and a common reason is that they “want to make a difference in the lives of people.” Then ask how they plan to go about that and typical responses relate to providing direct nursing care, to be an expert practitioner.
Registered nurses constitute the largest group of licensed health professionals in the United States. Being almost 3 million strong our collective voice, our voting power should make elected officials listen to what we have to say. But are we speaking up? Are we voting with the publics health care needs in mind? Are we participating in the public discourse on topics that express our values of social justice, human dignity, and altruism?
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing Standards for Baccalaureate Nursing Education includes leaning how to influence public policy as an essential dimension to the nursing curriculum.
I have been thinking about what the absence of civic engagement could mean as presidential hopefuls embark on their campaigns. The absence of nursings voice in these campaigns can, in my judgment, have a devastating affect on plans to meet the health care needs of Americans. Democrat, Republican, Independent, it doesnt matter. It is incumbent upon all professional nurses to press for health care reform on presidential campaign agendas.
Bill Clinton was the only presidential candidate of modern times, and perhaps ever, to speak of nursing care and registered nurses and to do so by name, not as a subset of medicine. He literally had in hand Nursings Agenda for Health Care Reform as he spoke of his plans to reform the health care system. After his election, he placed registered nurses in leadership roles in his administration and appointed registered nurses to groups designing his reform initiatives.
While his reform efforts were not successful, he did propose legislation that placed registered nurses as an essential and integral part of health care delivery. And what has happened in the years since? A lot of lip service has been given to addressing health care issues. Incremental reform was the catch phrase of those opposing Clinton and yet, today, there over 46 million uninsured in this county. The themes of access, quality, and cost are as relevant today as they were 14 years ago. As the 2008 primaries and presidential election approaches, health care will be mentioned by every candidate, but what is really meant and how do we search out the details.
For now, as we look ahead to the possibilities for influence, lets consider a contemporary event surrounding our life every day, the War in Iraq. What are the lessons to be learned? Here are some from my perspective and in no special order:
- Be mindful of campaign “spin”
- Cost doesnt really matter when there is a national commitment
- Look for hidden agendas
- Stay connected with public opinion
- Act with integrity, i.e., dont hide the body bags
- Have the data to present your case
- Tell the truth
- Dont forget we are talking about peoples lives
- Look at the whole picture
- Form and sustain real coalitions matters
- Hold people accountable
- Listen to other points of view
I recently listened to a presidential candidate speak about health care where he said that no one from another county has asked him to use his influence to get them admitted to a non-US hospital but many have asked for assistance in getting access to a US hospital. He then said it was because we had the best health care in the world. Nurses know we may have the best acute health care system but everyone doesnt have access to the same services that money can buy and the health of Americans must also be protected in the home and communities including, school and work.
The voice of professional nurses must challenge misleading statements. Nurses must join the chorus of those who want real reform. Nurses must be part of the political debate that will shape the campaigns. I hope we can count on yours.
Post Views: 880
